Awards Keep Coming for Cantlay


Despite finishing as the runner-up to Kelly Kraft in last weekend's U.S. Amateur, Patrick Cantlay has received another honor. The UCLA freshman and No. 1 amateur in the world has been named winner of the Fred Haskins Award.

Created in 1971, the award winner is selected by coaches, players, golf media, golf sports information directors and past champions. It is named in honor of the late Country Club of Columbus (Ga.) head professional, who tutored generations of golfers.

Cantlay, a native of Los Alamitos, Calif., will receive the award in November in Los Angeles. "It's obviously a great honor," he said. "I know (the award) has been around for a long time and there are some great names who have won it. So to join that group is pretty special."

Madden Hatcher Jr., chairman of the Haskins Commission, said of the selection: "Patrick Cantlay had an outstanding college golf season. His record vaulted him to the top of the list for the 2011 Fred Haskins Award. We are indeed proud of Patrick's accomplishments."

It's been a banner year for Cantlay. The Los Alamitos, Calif., resident was named the 2011 NCAA Division I Player and Freshman of the Year after leading the Bruins to four wins. He was also named the Pac-10's Player and Freshman of the year.

In addition to his collegiate and amateur exploits, Cantlay has had remarkable success while competing against the best professionals in the world. After becoming one of only three amateurs to make the weekend cut, he had rounds of 70 and 72 over the weekend at Congressional Country Club to finish as the low amateur - at even-par 284, good for T21 - at the U.S. Open. Cantlay's 5-under 30 on the back nine during his second round 67 was the best of the championship.

He then really grabbed the golf world's attention in late June after firing a 10-under 60 in the second round of the Travelers Championship at TPC River Highlands in Cromwell, Conn., where he eventually ended up tied for 24th at 11-under 269.

The very next week in the AT&T National at Aronomink Golf Club near Philadelphia, Cantlay posted rounds of 70, 69, 71 and 67 to finish T20 at 3-under 277. And then in the Canadian Open at a very tough Shaughnessy Golf & Country Club in Vancouver, the youngster ended up in the top 10, tying for ninth at even-par 280 alongside such major winners as 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel and John Daly. Over the weekend, Cantlay closed with a pair of under-par rounds of 68 and 69.

Ben Crenshaw, the former University of Texas star and future two-time Masters champion, won the first three Haskins awards. Phil Mickelson and Bobby Clampett were also multiple winners. Other winners include Tiger Woods, Stewart Cink, Matt Kuchar, Curtis Strange, Luke Donald, Graeme McDowell and Charles Howell III.

For more information about the award and the complete list of recipients, visit www.haskinsaward.org.